5th century Gupta era relic found
Hasibur Rahman Bilu, Bogra

The archaeology department recently found cement-like ancient building material, known as "vajralepa", dating back to the Gupta era, during an excavation at Bhair Dhap site in Shibganj upazila of Bogra.

Rajshahi region Director of the department Abdul Khalaque said this is the first time that building material from such an ancient time was found.

Vajralepa was used for construction of the brick-built walls of the two Buddhist temples from the 5th-6th century AD recently discovered at the site, he said.

Archaeology department Custodian Nahid Sultana said vajralepa is like the cement and was made of banana, pulses, broth prepared from boiling buffalo hide, starch and other materials.

Assistant Custodian Md Mahabub-Ul-Alam also said vajralepa plaster is still on the walls of the two recently discovered Buddhist temples.

Mahabub and Nahid Sultana have already prepared a report on the excavation at Bhair Dhap and vajralepa to submit to the department concerned.

Indian authors mentioned vajralepa and its use in books like "Bharat Samhita" and "Visnudharmotantra".

Meanwhile, antiquities including terracotta plaques with Brahmi inscriptions were found in huge number at the Bhair Dhap site during the five month-long excavation that started on November 1 last year.

The Brahmi inscriptions show ancient formation of some Bangla letters, said Regional Director Abdul Khalaque.

The other relics found at the site include terracotta balls, ornamented terracotta, arch panels, and ornamental bricks.